At a March press conference to hype next weekend’s rematch of an earlier draw, WBC and Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight World Champion Jean Pascal gave Bernard Hopkins both of his belts to get him to “stop crying [and] man up.”
At Joe Hand’s Gym in Northern Liberties yesterday, Hopkins said that once the cameras were off that day, his foe asked for them back. “I took them through customs. They’re at City-View, in my [condominium], in my possession,” he said, claiming ownership of titles he considers his. “I don’t mind going into someone’s hometown and fighting them. They’ll be on the line May 21.”
Though he likened himself to a Navy SEAL and said he’ll wear a Bobby Clarke jersey to antagonize Montreal’s hockey fans, Hopkins sounded as if he knew the end of a hall of fame career was near.
He attributed his longevity — which could see him break George Foreman’s record as oldest fighter to win a significant world title — to medical and dietary advances, taking care of himself and thinking he’s “still extraordinary.”
“Joe Frazier couldn’t shop at Trader Joe’s. Ali never had a Whole Foods. … I don’t waste a lot of energy, don’t waste a lot of time. I can’t afford to,” the 46-year-old said.
